The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) first global Congress to be held in the Middle East got underway this week, with UAE government ministers discussing the extensive planning and preparations for World Expo 2020.

His Excellency, Mattar Al Tayer – Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai and His Excellency, Khalifa Al Zaffin – Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation discussed ‘Examining Innovation, Integration and Partnerships at the Project, Programme and Portfolio Levels’.

The PMI Global Congress 2014-EMEA, is taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 5 to 7 May and is the region’s premier project management educational and networking event. It has attracted more than 1000 delegates from 74 countries and will focus on the development of highly specialized skills, knowledge sharing, and professional networking opportunities that target the needs of many project, program and portfolio managers from around the world.

The Congress is an ideal platform for project managers to hone their multi-faceted, inter-disciplinary project skills needed to fill these roles and help their organizations succeed in an increasingly challenging, complex marketplace, learning amid the vibrant backdrop of Dubai, host city for Expo 2020, and directly from the experts who are responsible for project implementations that total an estimated $6.5bn (£4bn, €4.8bn).

There is an urgent demand for project managers with technical project management, business management, and leadership skills in the EMEA region, where, according to reports, PMI’s Industry Growth Forecast: Project Management Between 2010-2020, there will be nearly 3 million new project management jobs with no one available to fill them, and highlights a particular skills shortage in the Middle East.

This week’s Congress will feature sessions focused on the extensive planning and preparations for World Expo 2020 followed by more than 60 learning opportunities across 17 content areas. A large-scale model of Dubai World Central, a master-planned aerotropolis centered around Al Maktoum International Airport and future site of World Expo 2020, is on display exclusively during the Congress to illustrate the many different industries and levels of project, program and portfolio management that will be involved in the impressive investment in this new area of an already extraordinary city.

Key Topics on this week’s agenda include:
-His Excellency Dr. Nasser Saidi, providing an analysis of the social impact and risks associated with a project having the scope and complexity of Expo 2020
-James Burke, science and technology historian, futurist and author, presenting “Staying Ahead: Innovation for the Day after Tomorrow”
-Mark Gallagher, co-owner of Status Grand Prix presenting “Formula One – Delivering Success in the Fast Lane”